Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Rose mallow blooms all year in this area. When fully opened, the flowers look like miniature hibiscus. They're even beautiful in their decline and when the flower is spent, as is the one above, it will drop away cleanly.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

We've had a day of sunshine between rainstorms - a chance to get into the yard and take a closer look at what's blooming. The gophers ate most of the Dutch irises this year, but happily, the freesias are back, filling the garden with one of the sweetest scents of spring. Oddly, the one above is growing sideways, along the patio, instead of up.

This one is growing upright, while the one below is pushing its way forward through the shell ginger leaves.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

This photograph is courtesy of NASA, taken from the International Space Station by the crew of Expedition 15. NASA describes it thus: ..."the Sun's limb still peeks above the distant horizon as seen from Earth orbit. Clouds appear in silhouette as the sunlight is reddened by dust in the dense lower atmosphere. Molecules in the more tenuous upper atmosphere are preferentially scattering blue light".

Saturday, February 12, 2011

When this picture was taken in 1919, the last standing structure in Teller, Colorado was the former saloon and dance hall. Standing out front, Mr. & Mrs. William Kerr and their son. Mr. Kerr had been one of the original stake holders back in 1879 when the mining boom first started.

Friday, February 11, 2011

An interesting take on our failed education system by Sir Ken Robinson, animated by Canada's Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. Thanks to Dr.John Tierney for the heads up.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The fuchsias aren't doing so hot. Whereas they were lush and full all last summer, they've gotten woody and lean, still putting out blossoms but with very little foliage. If a cutting back this month doesn't promote new growth this spring, they may get the boot.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

One of the giants of the 20th century, one of our greatest presidents, born 100 years ago today.

"I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts." Ronald Reagan